Book: Hillbilly Tales from the Smoky Mountains - And Other Homespun Remedies, Proverbs, and Poetry by Patricia Leigh Graham

Patricia Leigh Graham

about this book: 'Hillbilly Tales from the Smoky Mountains' is an anthology of Appalachan folklore. The stories are told through a first person narrative as the speaker has lived it. The 'sin-eater' is a prime example of a Southern belief that has now been lost in the United States. The purpose of this book was to preserve the oral traditions that will eventually be lost if not written down.

There are different sections of the book that focuses on medicinal healing using herbs, roots and other elements from the land. Another section focuses on old wives tales and proverbs now called Appalachian wisdom. These are words to live by these days.

This book portrays the history of the Southern people and their traditions, customs and beliefs. Examples of this are the 'shivaree' 'broom-jumping and the stacked apple cake, and the 1lb grasshoper (tall-tale). So settle in and imagine that you are on the family porch listening to your grandparents reliving the stories of yesteryear. It will truly be a treasure to pass on to the next generation of readers